Hey all, I'm Calvin and I hail from Oakland, but I also go to school at UC Davis.

I've wanted to get into recreational shooting for a while, but have not had the chance to get myself setup and receive my HSC. That has recently changed with the unfortunate incident concerning my mother. She was held up by gunpoint for her purse in front of our house. Until just recently I've taken a much greater interest in firearms that can be used in emergencies like what my family has just experienced and something I can take to the shooting range.

I have studied the HSC study guide and will be going to take he test tomorrow. Wish me luck on that!

I've researched the many options I have, and have decided on a 4" .357 double action revolver, notably the Ruger GP100. Does anybody have advice on this choice or could there very well be a better choice for my first handgun?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

.22guy

03-02-2012, 10:32 PM

I would suggest getting a .22 rifle and pistol to learn on. You can shoot for cheap and learn the fundamentals.

The Ruger GP100 is a great gun and you will love it, if you decide to go with that.

And welcome to Calguns! :)

SoCal Bob

03-02-2012, 10:43 PM

Hi Calvin, welcome to Calguns sorry to hear about what happened to your mother. GP100s are great guns and very easy to learn and practice with. While it will easily handle .357 magnum loads it is less expensive to practice with .38's. You have the choice of 38, 38+P or .357 magnum.

h0use

03-02-2012, 10:43 PM

welcome

zod

03-02-2012, 10:57 PM

Welcome aboard.

freshislandcoconuts

03-02-2012, 11:17 PM

Thanks all. Ive only been to a shooting range once with some friends to practice on a .22 rifle. I'm not sure what model but I believe the range was called target masters? That experience is what interested me in the first place!

bikr4jc

03-02-2012, 11:29 PM

Welcome!!

LikeAllGuns

03-02-2012, 11:41 PM

Welcome :)

DAR556

03-03-2012, 12:11 AM

Welcome aboard!

Jeepergeo

03-03-2012, 7:25 AM

I suggest you take a Hunters Safety Class or Firearm Safety Class first: some of these classes will have live fire as part of the class.

Then, go to a range that RENTS firearms and rent a few that interest you. For about $100 in ammo and rental and range fee, you will learn a lot that will save you making much larger purchases that you will later regret.

The GP100 357 Magnum is a nice gun, and I believe the instructions from the manufacturer says you can also shoot 38 Special and 38 Special +P from the same gun (that's true for most 357 Magnums...I'm a big believer in shooting only the rounds recommended by the manufacturer, so that's why I usually say to check). That's nice ability as shooting 357 Magnum loads for target shooting is tiring, noisy, and expensive, whereas 38 Specials are less expensive, quieter, and less tiring. Save the 357 Magnum loads for when you really want the power.

While you are looking, the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus in 357 Mag is a nice one to compare to the GP100. The comparison will show you what you get if you spend a few hundred dollars more. You will see the S&W is more refined. But you might decide you don't need that extra level of refinement.

All that said, IMO, a 22 LR revolver would be a better first gun and will allow you to learn technique first. The Ruger SP101 4" 22 LR is very sweet.

Be prepared to have a locking vault to secure your gun. California puts the security responsibility clearly on your back, so if someone (like a child) comes to your home and accidently accesses your gun, you could and likely will be held accountable for the outcome.

SacMacNut

03-03-2012, 7:42 AM

welcome to calguns wish you luck in what ever you choose....

den888

03-03-2012, 7:59 AM

Welcome!

bsg

03-03-2012, 1:59 PM

welcome to the forum.

xXx Sir Sik xXx

03-03-2012, 2:34 PM

Welcome to the board...

Luckee112

03-03-2012, 3:01 PM

Welcome to CGN!

Ubermcoupe

03-03-2012, 5:34 PM

FIcoconuts,

Welcome to Calguns! Always glad to have another Bay Area member. :thumbsup:

freshislandcoconuts

03-03-2012, 5:42 PM

Thanks all. Today I went to J & R and got my HSC.

I ended up coming out with a Springfield XD-9 Service issue. I didn't get to fire but it was the most comfortable when being held out of the handguns I checked out. Selections were Ruger SR9/C, Glock 17 regular and the compact size, Beretta PX4, and a Smith & Wesson M&P. All of them 9mm.

I have no idea how I ended up going for a .357 revolver to 9mm's I find it hilarious but cool at the same time.

What do you guys think of my decision? I know picking the one that felt most comfortable was the best, but I like to hear other people's opinions at the same time. I absolutely loved the SR9 look, but it came down to the Glock and the XD after talking to one of the employees there.

newglockster

03-03-2012, 5:48 PM

Welcome and nice choice on the XD9! :)

Dr-Death

03-03-2012, 5:51 PM

welcome

biloutkast

03-03-2012, 9:53 PM

Welcome aboard~!

freshislandcoconuts

03-04-2012, 2:18 PM

Thanks again. After a bit of research though, I've made the silly mistake of not checking competing prices. I walked out the door with the XD-9 for a whopping 630 dollars including jail time and tax!